CTX Magazine - 2013 - 1

Front Cover

The faces of Christian leadership making an impact locally and globally

Big League Dreams

Summer 2013

Ryan Ullmann

Vol. 5 Issue 2

O u r

drafted by the Washington Nationals

m i s s i o n

i s

t o

d e v e l o p

C h r i s t i a n

Winter 2012

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l e a d e r s

Table of Contents

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DCE alumna prepares for mission work in Botswana, Africa

Student News

04

Persuasion Contagion, marketing competition, travel course, honors

Divergent Paths: Internship Experiences 08

More than a Mission Statement: Serving across the globe 08

Academic News:

13 New online programs, community college partnerships 18 COS grant update, Study Abroad in Costa Rica, CS program grant

Live a Life Worthy of Your Calling:

Fine Arts:

20

Ben and I Play for Peace, event calendar, vocal program

Faculty News

Making news, position & education updates, retirements, awards

Where Are They Now? 3 alumni tell their stories

27 28

Athletics: Spring Sports Summaries

30

Two first-ever Academic All-Americans

Whitlock Named Semifinalist for 9th Annual Wooden Citizenship Cup

Recognitions

Contributing Writers John Adams Dr. Debra Allen

Christina Boudreaux (‘13) Monica Goetz Jill Cloud (‘13) DeWayne Mangan (‘03) Matt Chmura

The magazine for Concordia University Texas is published two times a year by the University’s External Relations Office. It is provided free of charge. Please send comments, letters to the editor or story ideas to:

Concordia University Texas Attn: Melinda Brasher 11400 Concordia University Dr. Austin, Texas 78726 melinda.brasher@concordia.edu ctxmagazine@concordia.edu

Concordia University Texas President

Vice President of External Relations

Don Adam

Vice President of University Services

Gary Belcher

Presidential Ambassador for Mission Advancement

Rev. Dr. Jerry Kieschnick

Vice President of Business Services

Pamela Lee Provost

Dr. Alan Runge

32

Board of Regents

Men’s basketball-ASC champs, Ullman drafted to Nationals

33 41

Sports Schedules-Fall 2013

35

Track athletes at Texas Relays

Maggie Thompson

Dr. Thomas Cedel

Alumni Notes

Graphic Designers

Jesse Gumtow (‘09)

26

A First-Generation Perspective

22

E d it or

Melinda Brasher

On the Cover

Quentin Anderson Barry Burgdorf Albert Carrion Rev. Allen Doering Rev. Michael Dorn Stephen Eggold Mark Hazelwood Rev. Kenneth Hennings Rebecca Kieschnick

Dr. Max Kiesling Noreen Linke Kristi Matus Ed Moerbe Chuck Requadt Robyn Roberts Daniel Schaefer Keith Weiser

Read the stories behind these faces Faculty - Anthony Ross - see page 22 Student - Johnathan Brown- see page 8 Athlete - Christina Smith- see page 30 Student - Jaime Bogues- see page 8 Athlete - Jamarion Jenkins- see page 33 Philanthropist - Ben Werdegar- see page 20 Alumna - Amanda Herrera- see page 28 Faculty - Dr. Larry Meissner- see page 15 Alumna - Liz Callahan- see page 3

Concordia University Texas is a private, coeducational institution of liberal arts and sciences offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Concordia offers an Accelerated Degree Program for part-time students and adult returning students. Concordia University Texas is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is under the auspices of the Lutheran Church­—Missouri Synod.

www.concordia.edu

@concordiatx @ctxalumni

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COncordia University Texas

facebook.com/concordiatx facebook.com/ctxalumni #CTX #CTXMag #EILGALA

#CTXAlumni #CTXHFW #Woosh

Student News

Live a Life Worthy of

Your Calling

DCE alumna Liz Callahan prepares for mission work in Botswana, Africa

The community

at Concordia is guided each year by a theme, which is voted on by the faculty, staff and students and woven into daily chapel messages and other projects throughout the year. For 2012-2013, a verse from Ephesians challenged students to live a life worthy of their calling. For many students, coming to Concordia means furthering an education in an environment that allows them to figure out who they are and what they want to do. Some have decided their futures while others are still exploring ideas. Through opportunities to learn and serve, many find their calling, and that is certainly true of Liz Callahan, a 2013 graduate of the Director of Christian Education program.

“It’s so rewarding to see people’s faces- their gratitude for what we’re doing,” Liz said. “I hope to help glorify Jesus [during placement in Botswana]. This will help me prepare for medical missions and be sure this is what I want to do with my whole life.”

Liz recently accepted an internship in Botswana, Africa, where she will be serving in a rural village through Global Lutheran Outreach. Her mission will be to work with the Tsoa and Kua groups, known as the ‘bushmen,’ where she will likely be working with villagers to teach them about basic healthcare, volunteering in local hospitals and teaching the largely unreached population about Jesus. She traveled there in May to explore the villages she will serve.

‘I want to see everyone in Heaven,” Liz said with a giddy smile. “I am challenging myself to glorify God in everything I do, to be selfless in everything- for Him- and not for me.”

“Sixteen months in a new country will be a challenge,” Liz said.

“I need to learn the language. And I don’t like being the center of attention. I was the only white person within about 150 miles.”

But those things aren’t deterring her from going. It’s a challenge she sought out during her training at Concordia where she also served on many mission trips, including relief

So what’s next for Liz? Her placement begins in September, and this summer, she is raising money, an impressive $30,000, to help cover the cost of travel, Visas, and living expenses while in Africa.

efforts in Bastrop County after the wildfires of 2011, and a mission trip to El Salvador with Can-Do Missions where she helped build houses through Habitat for Humanity.

Liz entered Concordia with intent to study both nursing and Christian education. She still hopes to pursue her nursing degree one day. For now, she’s focused on bringing the church to southern rural Africa.

Liz credits her instructors for preparing her for this adventure, for inspiring her to challenge her faith and making her want to raise awareness among the Christian community.

“They’re mission-minded,” Liz said of her professors. “It’s like we’re being trained for a church that doesn’t exist yet. You won’t learn anywhere else what you learn at Concordia. DCE directors will pour their heart into you so you can pour your heart into Jesus.”

You can help

by visiting www.globallutheranoutreach.com/callahan and clicking ‘Give’ to donate. For more information about the Director of Christian Education program at Concordia, visit www.concordia.edu/education.

Summer 2013

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Student News

Students compete for prizes during annual Persuasion Contagion The five finalists of the spring 2013 photo provided by Maggie Thompsonn

semester were (pictured with Dr. Erik Green): Riley Zoch, Kyle McCall, Zac Patterson, Emma Clifford, and Lauren Gerken. Gerken took home the top prize from the event.

The Persuasion Contagion is held every semester and features five of Concordia’s top public speakers who compete for cash prizes.

For more information about the event, contact communication professor, Erik Green at erik.green@concordia.edu.

CTX students place second at National Marketing Competition

By Jill Cloud

Concordia

University Texas students placed second out of six teams from the Concordia University Texas System, winning $3,500 in prize money. The team traveled to St. Louis, MO, to compete in the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) National Student Marketing Competition in April.

The competition’s Case Study Challenge, asked students to develop a marketing campaign to raise awareness about the LCEF ministry and attract new LCEF investors within the Concordia University System. This is an annual event hosted by LCEF and the second year that Concordia Texas participated. Last year’s team placed third.

“Concordia has had such a positive impact in our lives, and we hope that by giving back, we can make a difference.”

Daniel Adler - Business ‘13

for which they can apply the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom. And LCEF gains remarkable insights and usable ideas from these up-and-coming leaders.”

The team of students decided to donate a percentage of their winnings to the University.

The students were given a figurative budget of $200,000 to create a campaign, and present the proposal to a panel of seven judges. The presentations were approximately 20 minutes in length, folliowed by10 minutes of Q&A. The competition provided a real-world experience for each of the university teams, and allowed them to demonstrate skill sets that they have developed throughout their college education.

“As the Alumni Director of Concordia, I am proud that these students want to give back to their University, setting an early example for what it means to make a difference in the future of your alma mater,” said John Adams, director of alumni relations.

The Concordia University Texas students who attended the competition were Daniel Adler, a senior majoring in business management, Jill Cloud, a senior majoring in communication, Teylor Schiefelbein, a junior majoring in communication, and Brandon Marks, a senior multidisciplinary major in communication/history.

“We are once again impressed with the preparation and enthusiasm the students have for this event the year,” said Richard C. Robertson, LCEF President/CEO. “Engaging the students through this competition provides a realistic project

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COncordia University Texas

photo provided by LCEF

Participating CTX students: Daniel Adler, Teylor Schiefelbein, Jill Cloud and Brandon Marks, with communications professor Philip Hohle.

“Concordia has had such a positive impact in our lives, and we hope that by giving back, we can make a difference,” said Adler.

Also participating in the competition were Concordia University New York, Concordia University Wisconsin, Concordia University Irvine, Concordia University Chicago and Concordia University St. Paul.

Kudos to the Concordia University System students on their marketing projects for #LCEF! http://ow.ly/kzxsV @LCEF_

Student News

History where it happened Travel course to nation’s capital helps students explore our nation’s identity

History

professor, Debra Allen, and four students traveled to Washington, D.C., in May as part of a travel course to consider the question of national identity. They toured government buildings, historical sites, and museums and met with military leaders at the Pentagon where they were able to discuss controversial issues, including sexual assault allegations in the military and a recent news report about one group’s efforts to restrict religious practice in the military.

The group also toured the battlefields of Gettysburg and Antietam as well as Harper’s Ferry, MD, the site of John Brown’s raid in 1859, to reflect on the impact of slavery on U.S. history and society. They visited nearly every monument in the nation’s capital.

“I wanted students to think about the contrasts between the Lincoln, Jefferson, and the FDR Memorials, as well as among the three war memorials: Vietnam, Korean, and World War II,” Allen said. “And question if the different styles convey different messages about American history and memory?”

By Debra Allen

Allen does not envision the travel courses replacing classroom instruction, but supports this kind of experiential learning as a supplement to traditional lectures and seminars.

“One can’t intuit complex historical issues by touring a building,” Allen argues.

On the return flight to Austin, the Concordia group was privileged to travel with “Honor Flight Austin,” a group of World War II veterans who had spent time in the nation’s capital at the World War II Memorial. “It was a perfect ending to this travel course experience,” Allen said. “The students returned to Austin with a deeper appreciation for the work of public servants—both military and civilian— and probably more questions than answers about what makes the U.S. the U.S.”

CTX students stand in The Bread Line at the FDR memorial.

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Student News

It was The Mullet;

by Jill Cloud

it’s now The Monthly Spin A new upper-level communication

“Not only did the quality of the

course was offered during the spring semester called Communication Practicum. The class, writing improve, but the quality directed by professor Philip Hohle, had of the paper as well,” said several projects ranging from a marketing competition, to radio marathons, to creating copy editor, Chelsey Gonzales. a new and updated website. The largest project the class worked on was the renaming The course was a unique opportunity for and re-branding of the student-produced Concordia students to develop real-world newspaper, “The Mullet.” After a little research skills, working under strict deadlines and and soliciting feedback from the student body, learning the importance of teamwork. The “The Mullet” became “The Monthly Spin.” In practicum course will be offered each addition to reinventing the paper, the class semester, including one lower-level and developed a team to help recruit contributors, one upper-level class, and the students will edit the materials and a produce the layout continue to work on various and design for each edition.

projects for the communication department and Communication Club.

The Monthly Spin is available on campus the first Thursday of each month during the academic school year. For more information about the Communication Practicum, visit www.ctxtalk.com or email Professor Hohle at philip.hohle@concordia.edu.

Heading to NYG? Check out Concordia University Texas Booth B309 for FREE giveaways & prizes CTX President Tom Cedel will speak at Tuesday’s Mass Event

July 1-5 | San Antonio, TX 6

COncordia University Texas

Student News

Blooming with Possibility

Annual freshmen project inspires students to serve

Each

year, freshmen students embark on a service project designed to introduce them to Concordia’s missions and instill the value of service work. Last fall, students and staff cultivated a wildflower garden near the entrance to campus. This spring, everyone enjoyed the result - native grass areas transformed into native Texas wildflowers.

“I loved that we did this project upon arrival,” freshman Jazmine ‘Jazzy’ Schwolert said. “It instilled a service learning mindset early on.”

Fall 2013 freshmen can look forward to orientation this summer, known as Embark, and a project serving neighborhood churches and businesses along FM 620 with landscaping, clean up and beautification.

Past service projects included cleaning up brushy areas of campus and the preserve and improving park areas around Austin.

Honors Banquet Award Recipients Concordia University Texas annually recognizes outstanding students in many areas of academic study. This year’s annual honor awards banquet took place on April 20.

Outstanding Nursing Student • Sydney Washington

Communication Student of the Year • Alyssa McCormack

DCE Student of the Year • Olivia Jablinski

Outstanding Greek Student • Emma Walsh

EDICUT Pre-Service Educator of the Year • Stacy Manship

Outstanding Hebrew Student • Michael Hofmann

Kinesiology Student of the Year • Kaleigh Landry

Tornado Scholar Athletes of the Year • Kayla Burch • Andrew Burns

Outstanding Science Student • Natasha McCown Outstanding Mathematics Student • Stacy Manship Drama Student of the Year • Elizabeth Oerther Music Student of the Year • Hannah Baslee

Service Learning Leaders • Katherine Prince • Kayla Brock • Morgan Thorsen • Tanner Evans • Daniela Vazquez • Allison Dayton • Jolie Perez • Shannon Ross

Student Services Award for Christian Leadership

• Matt Doering • Stacy Manship

Alfred and Edith Leja Prize (English) • Erica Massey Dr. Keith Loomans Education Scholarship • Brooke Stade • Brianna Worthing • Elizabeth Pulliam • Morgan Thorsen Schjerven Leadership Scholarship-Education

• Emily Pohland • Sharon Whightsil

Schjerven Leadership Scholarship-Business • Ronald Orisma

Summer 2013

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Student News

Divergent Paths:

Two Students Share Internship Experiences and Lessons Learned by: Monica Goetz

Meet

Meet

Jaime

Jonathan photos by Monica Goetz

Jonathan Brown

is a May 2013 graduate who double majored in business management and marketing.

He landed a job with Bazaarvoice, the company he interned with for over a year.

“I first found out about Bazaarvoice through one of my professors,” Jonathan said. “He was an adjunct marketing professor of mine.”

Once Brown learned about the internship opportunities at Bazaarvoice, he reached out to Joyce Sinclair with Career Services.

“She helped big time with my resumé to make it more robust and gave it a better layout and visual design so that it would be well read by a recruiter,” said Brown.

He landed the internship the summer before his senior year. It was originally supposed to be through the end of December, but it was extended for another six months.

Brown applied his CTX coursework to “I was actually practicing his internship and found that “of all of my classes, what the professor was especially the class cleverly teaching.” titled, ‘Critical Thinking and Change,’ really helped prepare me.”His critical thinking skills were especially helpful in the later months when he was given complex sets of data.

“I was able to find systemic ways to simplify it and get to the heart of the problem,” Brown said.

Brown said that he also leveraged classroom learning and educational opportunities during his internship.

“I was actually practicing what the professor was teaching; especially in regards to my sales management and advertising management classes. There were a lot of parallels between what I was doing at my internship and those two classes. The internship gave me a lot of different talking points to bring up in class discussions,” said Brown.

Brown believes Bazaarvoice is on the cutting edge of marketing, and he described that much of what he learned during his internship is not in marketing textbooks yet. He was excited to bring a forward perspective to the classroom discussions.

Brown also credits his internship with enhancing his CTX classroom experience. “I learned a lot at my internship that I was able to not only apply to my different class work, but it really helped me make my coursework more relevant and more real,” said Brown.

Brown encourages CTX students to cast a very wide net when it comes to networking, and applying for internship and jobs.

“There is a lot to be said about this terrible job market, but we, as college students, have really the ultimate power in choosing the trajectory of our careers and if you can pick something that you really want to focus in on, or a place where you want to intern at, and fulfill those requirements to the best of your ability - making yourself the best potential applicant out of all the other interns then you can kind of have your pick of where you want to work. No matter how bad the job climate is, the talent always rises to the top,” said Brown.

Jaime Bogues

is a CTX senior behavioral science major. In November, she decided to try and land an internship for the spring. Bogues knew it would be challenging and admitted, “I started the internship process kind of late.”

Words of Wisdom from

Bogues, Brown and Sinclair

She reached out for help from Joyce Sinclair, coordinator of career services and director of Internships at CTX. “She encouraged me to get organized, and gave me a long list of possible internships. That night I worked on my resumé and I started emailing people,” said Bogues.

The first organization to respond to her email was The Center for Child Protective Services (CPS).

Bogues believes the resumé help that she received from Sinclair made her application stand out.

“Students who use my services generally get faster results than if the student picks a resumé format from the web,” said Sinclair.

The woman who interviewed Bogues at CPS also worked with her at a previous job.

“It was meant to be, I already had a contact at the center and the interview went very well” said Bogues.

Start Early Students should begin seeking help from Career Services in their freshmen year. Career Services can help you identify your career goals. Depending on those goals they can start to target industries and specific jobs. Then you can begin looking for internships no later than the end of your sophomore year.

Establish a relationship early on with Career Services. Even if you are a freshman and you would like to intern with a company who only accepts juniors or seniors, let Career Services know your interest. Joyce Sinclair can be on the lookout for similar companies and keep you aware of other opportunities. If you do not have a resumé, then make an appointment to get started with one.

Visit Frequently

“I feel like I have connections now through the people I’ve meet during my internship.”

Visit Career Services often and keep Joyce Sinclair updated on your career goals and interests especially as they develop from semester to semester. Make an appointment at the beginning of each semester to update your resumé.

Her efforts and network of contacts paid off and Bogues received the internship offer immediately following her interview.

Ask questions and find out which companies have a working relationship with Concordia. Attend the campus Career Fair. We hope that students will engage with employers even if they are not ready for an internship. Ask questions and find out more about certain companies. Talk with every company representative; you might be surprised by what they are doing and opportunities they might have. Reach outside of Concordia’s network and ask your professors about employers in their field. Most importantly practice your networking and conversation skills with recruiters at every campus event.

Most students seek help from Career Services for resumés or internship opportunities, but Sinclair encourages them to “talk about their goals and how that is going to fit in with the courses that they are taking and their overall career plan.”

For Bogues, her internship helped her to grasp the classroom concepts in a workplace environment.

“One class in particular that helped me was Personality Theories with Dr. Marchelle Scarnier. At CPS, I was interacting with kids who were mostly abuse victims. It was difficult in the beginning to adapt to them, but through my class material I learned how to interact with them. I thought about that class a lot when I was working at the center,” said Bogues.

The internship also helped Bogues solidify her career plans.

“At first when I looked into career options I thought maybe social work is not where I want to go’, but after my internship, having experience being directly involved, it confirmed for me that’s exactly where I want to be.” The internship experience also helped her make plans for her future; she intends to apply to graduate school for social work.

Her internship wrapped up with the end of the spring semester, but she plans to return in the fall as a volunteer.

Bogues said, “I feel like I have connections now through the people I’ve meet during my internship.”

Be Curious

Network During your internship use the opportunity to network with people in the company as much as possible. Try to learn about the other functions of the company beyond the one in which you are currently working. Your job will gain that much more meaning when you can recognize the tangible impact you are having on a company. Networking is also important if you cannot go straight from your internship into a position at the company because they do not have an open position.

If you network well enough you could potentially have a huge pool of people to talk to and gain insight into other jobs leads.

Concordia University in the gorgeous Texas Hill Country is perfect place to explore a different powerful presence in our lives- #satechtx! @CTXServiceLearn

Student News

“I know that nursing is my calling, and am blessed to be part of a program where Christian leaders are called to do this.”

Zenoba Peterson

More than a mission statement: Concordia’s Christian leaders serve in communities across the globe

Inspired by the university’s mission of developing

Christian leaders, the Concordia community is given opportunities and encouraged to participate in activities of servant leadership. Annually, thousands of hours are logged in local, regional and global communities in partnership with local charities, Can-Do missions, global outreach organizations and churches. And those experiences are transforming lives.

Meet Joel Rahn, director of instructional technology, who uses vacation time each year to serve on mission trips through ACTS Church-Lakeway. In February, he traveled with members of ACTS to Guatemala as part of an exploration trip through the Central American Lutheran Mission Society (CALMS). Together, they are exploring villages to determine needs and build trust for the future. In the village of San Miguel, volunteers spent time with women leaders and teachers who are eager for training. Primary school teachers receive only six months of training before embarking on their career, and many start at the age of just 17. Middle school teachers typically have only two years of training behind them. CALMS

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Concordia University Texas

is working to provide training and resources, books and technology to advance educational opportunities for both teachers and their students.

“There is a definite need there [in Guatemala],” Rahn said. “I want to make a difference in people’s lives. Guatemala touches my heart. My first teaching job was in a Hispanic area of L.A.” Rahn looks forward to returning to Guatemala in October. This summer, he’ll travel to Alaska with Can-Do Missions to serve in villages where volunteers will teach vacation bible school and visit with residents. “In a village that you can only travel to via boat or plane, it is often a highlight of their year to have visitors that want to spend time and build relationships with them,” Rahn said.

Student News A picture is truly worth a thousand words.

To learn more about these photos and the people in them, visit the spotlight at concordia.edu/science.

photos by Kevin Holmes

Students in the university’s growing nursing program are required to participate in a medical mission experience during their training, something senior Zenoba Peterson didn’t know when she applied for admission but believes is an awesome opportunity to apply what she’s learned.

Traveling to Guatemala was a “life changing experience,” Peterson said. “God will send you where he wants you to go.”

Peterson’s journey to nursing school wasn’t what some would call traditional. A graduate of The University of Texas with a degree in sociology, she wanted to pursue nursing but wasn’t accepted into their program. Learning that Concordia evaluates applicants based on the ‘whole person’ intrigued Peterson.

“I’m pretty sure God wanted me to wait to start nursing school so I could find Concordia,” Peterson said. “[Nursing Director Joy] Penticuff chooses people who want to make a difference.

I have no regrets.”

It was her first time to Guatemala, where she and 12 others served villagers who otherwise do not have access to medical care. They served in clinics, administering basic medical care to the people including wound care, drug distribution under the direction of Concordia nursing professor Beth Nurmi. They also taught in vacation Bible school, teaching people about the word of God with Pat Fick and other volunteers from CanDo Missions.

A native of south Texas with family in Mexico, Peterson said her bilingual skills also came in handy while in Guatemala.

“I was able to help translate in homes and teach my colleagues the language to communicate,” Peterson said. “I know that nursing is my calling, and am blessed to be part of this program where Christian leaders are called to do this.”

Peterson will graduate in December 2013. She hopes to return to Guatemala one day and also serve in other areas of the world where there is a need for her work.

Concordia welcomes participation from its partners and community members to work alongside us in helping our brothers and sisters in Christ and spreading His word.

You can help •

Support the 3 Well Campaign to fund the construction of fresh water wells in rural Africa. Visit www.concordia. edu/3WellCampaign or page 5 for details.

•

Support DCE graduate Liz Callahan as she travels to Botswana, Africa for an internship. See page 3 for details.

•

Fund travel and supply needs for Can-Do Missions and travel to serve in more than a dozen locations. Visit can-do.concordia.edu.

Only at Concordia University Texas would you see the president of the university and his wife helping to serve lunch in the cafeteria! That right there, is servant leadership. @alisondayton

Student News

Moving On and Paying it Forward

Ash, Whitney and Raistlin enjoy some time together in the park.

by Melinda Brasher

Meet Whitney, Ash and Raistlin.

Chances are, you’ve seen them before- in pages of this magazine and on the popular ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Since then, Whitney has enrolled in classes at Concordia and is working toward moving on and keeping her most precious assets close: her family.

absolutely fun. It was very meaningful learning. I might try a math course next.”

When she’s not studying or working, Whitney enjoys time with her boyfriend Philip, who Whitney describes as the ‘sweetest, most perfect person,’ and her twin brothers, Ash and Raistlin.

photos by Melinda Brasher

Fortunately, for Whitney Niemann, sweeter days are being had.

“My brothers are probably my most favorite people ever,” She describes 2011 as the craziest year- the best and the worst- but most definitely life changing. After losing her dad to Whitney said. a long battle with cancer, Whitney returned home to Bastrop And it shows when they are together. With nearly 16 years County where her mother, step-father and twin brothers lived. between them, Whitney seems more like their mom than She had been home for less than 24 hours when the wildfire sister.

But there is no doubt that these three adore each other broke out that destroyed their home and almost everything and value every minute they have together, whether they’re Whitney brought home with her. climbing rocks at a local park or reading.

“I lost almost everything I had from my dad, but I know I was “Books were a big part of my life,” Whitney said. “We had more where I needed to be,” Whitney said. books in our home than the library in my hometown of Three Rivers.”

Otherwise, there may not have been a way for the family to evacuate. Their mother, Mizzy, a volunteer fire fighter with the Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department in Smithville, was Whitney hopes to use her business degree to open a book out with her crew battling the fire and trying to protect homes. store and café one day.

Whitney had the only car and evacuated with her brothers.

“I want it to be the kind of place where you want to stay for

“My dad always said, ‘Life’s too short to be angry or upset; the bad days make the good days sweeter.”

Whitney Neimann

The family was later nominated to receive a new home, courtesy of EFC Custom Homes and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. And Concordia was part of the reveal, with President Tom Cedel presenting the family with full-tuition scholarships for all three siblings to attend college. And the family still wonders at their blessing.

“There are so many families who are still struggling,” Whitney said.

hours, meet friends, eat, play and learn,” Whitney said. “It will have a sound proof room for kids- no quiet library rules here.

Oh, and I make the most amazing whipped cream.”

Concordia leaders look forward to visiting that café one day, and supporting Whitney in her educational quest to get there.

“We’re in the business of education,” said Kristi Kirk, Vice Provost for Student and Enrollment Services at Concordia. “[Prior to meeting this family] Our CTX community had already volunteered hundreds of hours in Bastrop County after the fires to help with relief efforts. Supporting the family through the gift of scholarship was just one more way we were able to help.”

Whitney’s family is working to pay it forward. In December 2012, they held an open house and invited the community to tour the home and donate to local charities who are continuing The boys, now 10-years-old, will be eligible for enrollment to support recovery efforts. Mizzy’s husband, Chris, signed up at Concordia after graduation from high school in the next to be a volunteer fire fighter alongside his wife and neighbors. decade. It’s too soon to say what they may wish to pursue, but the Concordia Preserve is a seemingly perfect place for Whitney enrolled in Concordia’s Accelerated Degree Program these ‘typical’ boys who love to explore and enjoy nature.

(ADP) in January as a business student. She divides her time

between the university’s main campus in northwest Austin and “An education is a great gift,” Whitney said. “I feel very lucky. the North Lamar Center to make the most of her schedule Everything works out- maybe not the way you wanted it to. when she’s not working as a waitress at Chili’s.

Some things you’re powerless over- like that fire. But I try to find the good in life- always.”

“It was a tough semester,” Whitney said. “But two of my classes (American Sign Language and New Testament) were

I want to thank everyone who was at the Bastrop EM:HE build. My family can’t thank you enough for the gift you have given us. I am so honored to be joining your family. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the very bottoms of our hearts for this new and brighter future.

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COncordia University Texas

Whitney Niemann

Academics

College of Science Grant Supports Student Led Recycling Initiative

by Monica Goetz

The

College of Science put to use a portion of its State Farm Leadership Grant to help a group of students promote environmental consciousness by expanding Concordia’s recycling efforts. A main requirement of the grant is that projects must be student led. Concordia students Jennifer Phillips, Hong Vo, and Alexandra Brennan’s recycling project seemed a perfect match. The College of Science learned that the students needed funding to put their plan into action.

Previously, the College of Science made use of the grant through a student-led effort working with area high school students to create interpretive guides for the trail around the preserve. However, the focus has shifted from working with high school students to working with the soon-tolaunch Concordia Master Naturalist group. Master Naturalist programs are approved through a partnership between Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Concordia is seeking to establish the state’s first collegiate chapter. “The initiative for this program has already begun and the formalization of it is happening now,” said Dr. Janet Whitson, College of Science dean. “The program will likely launch the following academic year.”

Environmental Science Program Director Sam Whitehead says that balancing the need to increase awareness while minimizing traffic into the preserve remains a challenge for Concordia. But with “projects like recycling, students gain an awareness and education of protecting the environment,” said Whitehead.

A new Austin recycling ordinance went into effect October 2012, requiring that outdoor recycling bins be placed along side trash bins. Budget cuts potentially threatened the University from becoming fully compliant with outdoor recycling. But the State Farm Leadership Grant helped to bridge the funding gap and provided an educational opportunity for the students who led the project. Whitehead learned about the students’ recycling initiative through a meeting organized by Eric Booth, director of facilities management. Booth and Whitehead work together to manage the preserve with Booth’s department being responsible for maintaining the fence around the preserve,

the trails and regulating access. Whitehead and other faculty are responsible for designing academic programs that make use of the preserve, and researching and obtaining grants for scientific study.

Whitehead thought the students’ recycling project was a perfect fit for the grant.

“I definitely feel like we accomplished a lot this semester. The new outdoor recycling bins around campus look great.”

Jennifer Phillips In 2011 Jennifer Phillips, a facilities intern, organized a group of about 10 students on a Saturday to conduct a trash audit. “What we found was that more than 40 % of the trash that was collected could have been recycled or composted,” said Phillips. Phillips along with her fellow classmates Vo, and Brennan met with Whitehead to discuss improving recycling on campus. “It was frustrating trying to figure out how to improve recycling in the beginning. But I definitely feel like we accomplished a lot this semester. The new outdoor recycling bins around campus look great.”

Whitehead hopes the preserve inspires more students to become environmentally conscious. “We can truly reach everyone at the University, so hopefully even if you are not a student in the college of science, you will take a course that lets you go out in the preserve and study it,” said Whitehead.

For Phillips her next big challenge is a campus-wide initiative for composting. “I’m not really sure how to go about it,” Phillips said. “But it’s a learning process and I look forward to it.”

The third Tuesday of every month 11am - Auditorium - Building A

Join the Concordia University Texas College of Science as they invite respected leaders in the field of biological sciences to discuss their areas of expertise beginning September 17, 2013.

Learn more at

concordia.edu/biospeak Summer 2013

13

Academics

Christian leaders at home & abroad Two Concordia study abroad groups experience Costa Rica.

by Jill Cloud

2

1 14

1 3

Hiking in the cloud forest of Monteverde.

Concordia University Texas

2

Students are welcomed to Playa Tamarindo with a traditional Costa Rican dance.

Mimicking the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” album cover, students kill time between classes at Veritas University.

3

Academics hospital and saw pain and suffering,” Rachel Ferry, senior communication major, said.

Living and studying in a different country wasn’t always easy for the students to adjust to.

“Going to church in a different country, trying to pray in a different language, and trusting that God had his perfect plan in motion at all times was sometimes more of a challenge,” Amanda Herrera, senior behavioral sciences major, said.

The students’ first full day in Cost San Jose.

a Rica, orientation in downtown

Concordia prides itself on the mission of

developing Christian leaders. During the spring semester, Concordia students had the opportunity to learn and serve others as Christian leaders from across the world. During a study abroad trip to Costa Rice, one group of students was an International Study Abroad (ISA) group that stayed in Costa Rica for three months, and the other a 10-day Tropical Biology course. Both courses were taught and led by Concordia biology professor Dr. Laurence Meissner, or as the students call him “Doc.” Nine Concordia Texas students enrolled in the ISA three-month long program. In these three months, the students earned full academic credit while experiencing a different part of the world. The program partnered with Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica.

“A typical week for students consisted of classes Monday through Thursday, and excursions Friday through Sunday,” Meissner said. “The Tropical Biology students visited several sites including the Arenal Volcano, Playa Tamarindo, and Monteverde (Cloud forest) in Costa Rica and Bocas Del Toro in Panama.”

As part of the ISA group, students were required to take one Spanish course and live with a host family to create an immersion experience. Other required courses included Introduction to Environmental Science and/or Tropical Biology with Dr. Meissner and one course taught by Veritas University.

ISA students also participated in the Experiential Learning Abroad Program (ELAP) by volunteering at a children’s hospital, a zoo, a community clinic, or an elementary school.

“Living in a [developing] country for three months is a life-changing experience. I volunteered in the children’s

Doc began a weekly Bible study and led the first two sessions.

Soon after, students began to lead the them.

“Doc makes people feel welcome, and as it grew, it became something great,” said Ferry. “We developed our own community and wanted to make a difference to the people there.”

There were approximately 25 people at each Bible study. A few Concordia students as well as other international students studying abroad, led approximately 10 studies over a period of 13 weeks.

“CTX should be proud of these students,” Meissner said.

A Bible study sta rted by the Conc ordia group that took place on Wednesday aftern oons.

The study abroad programs offers a unique way for students to learn about other parts of the world, but to also learn about who they want to be.

“I felt that [in Costa Rica] we had such a family atmosphere, so it was so rewarding to be able to walk away from the trip with true friendships,” Herrera said.

This experience was a great way for Concordia students to meet new people and exercise the skills they have learned during their time at Concordia, both in and out of the classroom.

Continued on next page

photos provided by Rachel Ferry Laurence Meissner

5 4

Doc Meissner breaks near a waterfall. 5 The Arenal Volcano was very active, belting out a steady stream of vapor. 6 Concordia students take off on a 1500-meter zip-line in the forest.

6

4

Summer 2013

15

Continued from page 15

“Concordia has helped me grow as a Christian leader by allowing me many opportunities to be involved in many different things,” Herrera said. “I was able to work on campus, play golf for three years, be involved in two semesters of theatre, and go to campus events.”

Concordia provides several opportunities for students to get involved and experience other parts of the world.

“At a place like CTX, you are significant,” Ferry said. “Other, larger universities offer opportunities like this one, but you have to apply for them. CTX doesn’t hold you back.”

Though Concordia is a small institution, students value their education and time spent at Concordia.

“People may complain about Concordia being small, but you can fall through the cracks and go unrecognized and unchallenged if you do not offer yourself to be molded and changed,” Herrera said. “It was a place where I was able to form deep relationships with professors that I will cherish forever.”

Concordia provides unique opportunities for students and allows them to build close relationships with their peers and professors.

“I’m on a texting basis with five or six professors,” Ferry said. “I think that’s pretty cool.”

Get a new

perspective on your education.

Learn more about the Study Abroad programs at Concordia.

www.concordia.edu/studyabroad

Traveling?

Take CT X with You.

Show us your CTX Magazine Take a picture of you with your CTX Magazine and send it to ctxmagazine@concordia.edu. Please include your name, the year you graduated and where you are on God’s green earth.

16

Concordia University Texas

Academics

Aliens Invade Computer Science Lab

by DeWayne Mangan

Well,

not real aliens of course, but fairly close. This past year the Computer Science program received a complete technology makeover in their computer lab, installing sixteen new Dell Alienware Aurora-R4 desktops for use by Computer Science students. These replaced the 5+ year old machines that were installed in that lab when the campus was relocated in 2008. As part of Concordia’s Green Initiative, all of the old machines were sent off for e-recycling.

“We called the Smithsonian, but they weren’t interested. So we made sure they were recycled properly rather than ending up in a landfill,”said DeWayne Mangan, Director of Technology Services.

In addition to the new desktops, the program was also able to purchase two Dell R720 series servers equipped with VMWare software, enabling the program to create and archive virtualized lab environments for use in the classroom. As part of the program, all of this equipment is maintained by the program’s students – who also participated in selecting the new gear.

“One aspect of developing Christian leaders in the field of Computer Science is giving them access and exposure to tools that they will use once they graduate, in the real world,” Dr. Phil Schielke, Computer Science program director said.

“Much of the code development software used in the CS program is used in industry as well, and is fairly resource intensive. The new CS lab workstations and server bring cutting edge technology to our students, which will enable them to learn code development for years to come.”

By using the VMWare technology, professors can expose students to a wide variety of technology without having to purchase and maintain dozens of physical servers. Multiple virtual servers can be setup, running whatever operating systems students need.

“In our Operating Systems class, for example, students will have access to virtual Unix (Linux) servers. These virtual machines can be isolated from the other machines and the general campus-wide network allowing students to experiment and make mistakes without affecting other parts of the network. Having free reign to experiment and learn is a huge benefit for our students,” Schielke points out.

“Having this level of hands-on involvement and responsibility is why all of us chose Concordia over the bigger programs at other schools.”

Steven Wilson

Recently, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) class developed algorithms to play Checkers. Many of the AI techniques used in game playing are “brute force” techniques evaluating hundreds if not thousands of potential moves before choosing the best. The processing speed of the Alienware workstations allowed the students to develop algorithms that could potentially search many more solutions in a reasonable amount of times.

“I’m glad the university was able to upgrade the equipment,” Steven Wilson, senior computer science major, said. “It was nice to participate in purchasing the new gear because we got to help shape what we felt our program needed. Getting to manage the equipment ourselves is also another morale booster. Having this level of hands-on involvement and responsibility is why all of us chose Concordia over the bigger programs at other schools.”

Steven also serves as the student CS Lab Manager and is in charge of overall management of the new equipment. As part of his position in the program, he mentors the freshman and sophomores as they learn the policies on how the program balances allowing the students to manage and experiment with the equipment, while making sure it’s available for class when needed.

Future plans for the equipment include the installation of an automated program feedback and grading software which will allow students to submit their code and instantly receive feedback on the quality of what they’ve written. The program also plans to use spare cycles on the server and workstations to participate in the IBM World Community Grid project (http:// www.worldcommunitygrid.org/). Finally, in the future, students may be given their own virtual machines to use as they’d like during the program.

Confirmed Events

November 7 – Drayton McLane

McLane Group and former owner of the Houston Astros

The first Thursday of every month 11am - Auditorium - Building A

December 5 – Lessons Learned: Celebrating 50 Speaker Series Events

Sponsored by: The College of Business and Regions Bank

concordia.edu/speakerseries

featuring past speakers and surprise guests

Summer 2013

17

Academics

Accelerated Degree Program Expands With

New Fully Online Degree Options Students can earn online degrees in business, technical management, healthcare administration, human resource management and education.

Concordia University Texas now offers eight

fully online degree programs. The programs offered are a Bachelor of Arts in Business, a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration, a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management, a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Technical Management, a Master of Education in Advanced Literary Instruction, a Master of Education in Differentiated Instruction, Reading Specialist Certification and Superintendent Certification.

“Concordia University Texas is offering students the same, accredited degree courses and programs students would find in a traditional classroom environment, but using a different, more convenient delivery method,” Tammy Stewart, vice president of remote operations said.

“The online format allows busy, working adults to continue their education without interrupting their hectic schedules.”

Tammy Stewart, vp of remote operations

Concordia University Texas chose the programs that would be offered online through extensive market research that showed these courses are the most in demand for a fully online setting.

Coming in 2014: a Master’s of Education in Sports Administration on site and online.

Program Overviews New Online Programs Overview The Bachelor of Arts in Business (128 course credit hours) This program emphasizes core business skills and leadership development in a challenging course of study that will prepare students to adapt to the fast-changing business environment. With an emphasis on communication, finance, accounting, ethics and entrepreneurship, the Bachelor of Arts in Business provides a strong foundation for a wide range of careers including financial planning, sales, non-profit management, entrepreneurship and business management.

their career. Healthcare Administration (HCA) is an essential component of the delivery of health services in our country and the largest employing field in the American workforce.

The Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration (128 course credit hours) The program is a doorway to success for people seeking to enter the healthcare profession or advance

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Technical Management (124 course credit hours) This program is designed to provide an easy transition from associate of applied

The Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management (128 course credit hours) This program covers topics related to Human Resource management and administration, such as responsibilities, issues and concerns in HR field work. HR professionals teach the courses, honing students’ leadership and communication skills.

science degree programs to a bachelor’s program.

Curriculum includes a variety of business and management courses, giving students a powerful knowledge of core concepts needed in today’s marketplace.

The Master of Education in Advanced Literacy Instruction This program is designed for aspiring literacy instructors at the primary and secondary education levels and will consist of 30 course credit hours. The program also requires a 16-week case study in a practicum setting.

The Master of Education in Differentiated Instruction This program provides eduators with a sequence of courses that imparts knowledge and practical guidelines on how to adjust instruction in specific cases for students who

need modifications in the classroom.

The Reading Specialist Certifications This program consists of 18 credit hours and is designed for students with at least two years of experience in an EC-12 classroom. The six courses and case study in this specialization prepare students for the TExES Reading Specialist Exam.

The Superintendent Certification program This program consists of 16 credit hours earned through four courses and a practicum that runs for an entire year.

It is designed for students who already hold a master’s degree. This flexible program prepares busy, working adults for the TExES Superintendent Certification exam.

For more information, please visit: www.concordia.edu or http://online.concordia.edu 18

Concordia University Texas

Academics

2 + 2 = More Concordia University Texas Partners with Community Colleges to Train New Teachers Concordia University Texas is partnering with community colleges in Austin and the DFW metroplex to create programs that provide aspiring teachers with a seamless pathway to complete their education.

The program is designed for students who are seeking or who have completed an Associate of Arts in Teaching from partner schools. Concordia University Texas will accept all credit hours from early childhood through 6th grade (EC-6) Associate of Arts in Teaching programs with partner schools toward a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Curriculum through Concordia Accelerated Degree Program.

“We are proud to offer this program to Texas students eager to pursue a degree and career in education,” DeEadra Green, Austin Center Dean for Concordia University Texas, said.

Partner schools include Austin Community College, Tarrant County College, North Central Texas College, and the seven colleges of the Dallas County Community College District.

Designed around a cohort model, a group of students begin and complete Concordia’s program together by following a prescribed course sequence.

Students will complete coursework in early childhood education, classroom management and teaching strategies,

“The ease of transferring credits combined with the flexible class schedule at Concordia should allow almost anyone interested in pursuing an education degree to be able to do so.”

DeEadra Green, Concordia University Texas North Lamar Center Dean

which will prepare them for a career as a teacher and lay a foundation for other opportunities in education.

Students will also have the opportunity to complete a 14week student-teaching experience in an area public school in order to practice what they have learned and gain real-world experience as a teacher.

Classes in Concordia’s nearly two-year program will meet in the spring and fall in five and ten-week course increments.

To learn more about the early childhood education program, visit http://www.concordia.edu/teach.

We’re partnering with @concordiatx to help aspiring teachers earn their bachelor’s degree faster. Read more: austincc.edu/newsroom/index… #education @accdistrict

Friday

August 23, 2013 Honoree

and

Emerging Leaders

Register online at:

concordia.edu/EIL

#EILGala

Summer 2013

19

Fine Arts

Ben and I Play for Peace

concert raises $9,300 for the “Wounded Warrior Project” photo by Sharon Summers

The

“I just loved how we were able to include veteran guitarists as well as the student ensemble, Kim Perlak, and Kirby Kelley,” Werdegar said. “Ending the concert with the “God Bless America” piece was something extraordinary. The whole room just felt magical…”

third annual Ben and I Play for Peace Concert was held April 20 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in downtown Austin, where guitarists and musicians from around Austin joined 15-year-old guitar prodigy Ben Werdegar in a charity concert to benefit the “Wounded Warrior Project.”

Joining Werdegar in concert was Concordia Adjunct Music Professor Kim Perlak, the “I” in “Ben & I Play for Peace,” along with special guests. Perlak and Werdegar met during summer 2010 at the Verdery Guitar Class in Maui, Hawaii.

Last year, the concert at Concordia, along with sister city concerts in Seattle and Sarasota, raised $10,000, for “Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids (WFIK),” a nonprofit dedicated to delivering pediatric wheelchairs to disabled children in war-torn Iraq. Werdegar and Perlak decided to change their focus this year to support the “Wounded Warrior Project” to honor the troops who have supported “WFIK” founder, Brad Blauser, in his mission.

Through the musical style of gospel and blues, the event aimed to raise awareness in the community about the sacrifice that veterans and their families make through serving their country.

“I just loved how we were able to include veteran guitarists as well as the student ensemble, Kim Perlak, and Kirby Kelley,” Werdegar said. “Ending the concert with the “God Bless America” piece was something extraordinary. The whole room just felt magical… I think this event was timed perfectly amidst the Boston bombings as well as the disaster in Texas [that week]. I’m glad we were able to add some joy to the week as I know it was very difficult and tragic for many people.”

This concert has become an annual project of Dr. Perlak’s American Popular Music History course at Concordia University Texas. As the students learn about the power of music to create positive change and express an American identity, they join with professional members of the community to do so in the present. Veterans and community members taking Perlak’s Guitar(ing) for Peace class through St. David’s Journey Program also joined in the concert event along with Kirby Kelley, Guitar Center’s King of the Blues, music faculty from Concordia and the Children’s Choir from St. David’s.

Fine Arts events for Fall 2013

For more information on this event and how you can continue to help, visit www.benandiplayforpeace.com. Ben and I Play for Peace 2014 is scheduled for Sunday, April 27.

A parade of students from @concordiatx just walked into the Ben&I concert. Love that #ctx presence! benandiplayforpeace.com @melindabrasher

Monday Aug. 26

Faculty Piano Recital

Faculty Jazz Ensemble

Friday, Nov. 22

and Eundo Park, trumpet

Opera and Music Theater Scenes

5:00pm, Building E

featuring Aaron Lack, percussion; Bryan Kennard, flute;

Sunday, Oct. 27

3:00pm, Chapel

Faculty Voice Recital

Featuring Blythe Cates

Nov. 8 – 10

7:00pm, Blackbox Theater

Fall Theatre Performance Saturday, Nov. 16

204:00pm, COncordia Chapel University Texas

9:00pm, Blackbox Theater

featuring Dr. Patricia Burnham and Dr. Jodi Blount

Saturday, Nov. 23 7:00pm, Chapel

Senior Recital

featuring Briana Chapman, piano

Saturday, Dec. 7 7:00pm

Community Music Academy Recital

Sunday, Dec. 8

3:00pm, Chapel

Faculty Voice Recital featuring Wayne Davis

Wednesday, Dec. 11 7:00pm, Chapel

Christmas Choir Concert: Lessons and Carols Early December TBD

Opera and Musical Theater Scenes

Fine Arts

Music to our ears Vocal program flourishes

by Christina Boudreaux photo provided by Hannah Baslee

Concordia’s

voice department continues to flourish and encourage musical growth in a diverse student body. This fall, Concordia voice students will have the opportunity to take part in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Regional Conference and Competition. Last year, two students successfully competed on a trial basis. This November, many more students will have the chance to compete at the event being held at Baylor University.

What’s more, the fall semester will bring the Opera and Musical Theater Workshop to Concordia, which will give students the chance to perform a wide variety of opera, operetta and musical theater music. Field trips to the opera, master classes with Brett Barnes and Jessica Medoff, and two faculty recitals from the voice staff are also amongst the many exciting things planned for the program in upcoming months.

“The personal attention at CTX is unlike any state university. I received numerous performance opportunities that have helped me prepare for the stage of the El Paso Opera Company.”

Voice faculty Blythe Cates has even bigger plans. This includes obtaining a national certification for the music department, adding a spring musical theater production and new classes, and even expanding the musical theater and opera workshop by taking programs into the community schools for performances and education.

Cates says her overall goal is “to graduate successful musicians and vocalists with the capability to move on to advanced degrees.”

Hannah Baslee ‘13 And success is being seen by recent graduate Hannah Baslee, a music performance major, who was accepted into The University of Texas at El Paso as a graduate student for fall 2013.

“My professors pushed me to expand my repertoire and participate in NATS which is where I was discovered for graduate school,” Baslee said. “UTEP then offered me a TAship [teaching assistant] which includes full tuition paid. I couldn’t have done it without the help of the voice faculty at Concordia.”

[i am a patron] Current initiatives include: • $500,000 - to develop the Art major • $66,000 - for upgraded technology • $350,000 - to develop the worship arts ministry program

Support Concordia’s Fine Arts giving.concordia.edu

Winter 2012

21

Faculty & Staff News

Faculty & Staff News

makingNews Retirement System. He is a current active member of the Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs. Tony has been teaching as an adjunct instructor in Concordia’s Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) for seven years and was recently promoted to assistant professor of accounting, teaching undergraduate courses.

Dr. Joel Heck teaches an upper-level religion course on the life of C.S. Lewis and recently took sabbatical in Cambridge, England during the Michaelmas Termtypically the first academic semester of the year in the United Kingdom- to research C.S. Lewis, particularly an essay Lewis delivered in May 1959, titled “Modern Theology and Biblical Criticism” at the Westcott House in Cambridge. Heck studied this talk, or essay, because it was one of the primary Lewis connections with Cambridge. Heck has completed a 7,000 word article on his research of this essay, and plans to use this research to better teach the talk Lewis gave at Westcott House.

One of the unique features of Heck’s article is that some of his research included writing to seven people who were present for Lewis’ talk to inquire about their reactions.

Heck has also designed a C.S. Lewis desk calendar.

This desk calendar contains an event from the lives of C. S. Lewis and his brother Warren for every day of the calendar year and a color photograph for each week of the year. The perpetual calendar is not tied to a specific year, so it includes neither a year nor the days of the week. The calendar is based on the extensive 460-page chronology of the life of the Lewis brothers and has been produced by Joel Heck. It is available on his website at www.joelheck.com.

Tony Ross, full-time professor of accounting and business in the College of Business, was awarded Certified Public Accountant (CPA) of the Year by the Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs. This award recognizes a member who has made a significant contribution or has attained recognition for the Chapter or the profession. As a CPA in Austin for 18 years, Tony previously worked for Austin Energy, Austin City Auditor’s Office, served on the Board of Directors and Executive Board for the Texas Society of CPAs and served many years for the City of Austin on the Deferred Compensation Plan and Employee

22

Concordia University Texas

Ann Schwartz, full-time behavioral sciences professor and Service Learning faculty leader, gave a presentation at the New Worlds Adoption Conference at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA on April 12. She presented with four other colleges on “The Minnesota Texas Adoption Research Project: Navigating Contact from Childhood into Young Adulthood.” Schwartz spoke about research she’s doing with colleagues from University of Texas and Boston College regarding the experience of birth mothers who placed children for adoption in the late 1980s.

Jacob Youmans, assistant professor in the College of Education and director of Christian education, has written two books that were published in May. The first book, “Missional U: Life as a Mission Trip,” explores the concept of living a missional life every day, either serving at home, in the community, or across the globe. There are 16 devotions in all, each with questions for reflection and discussion. The second book, “Missional Too: The Trip of a Lifetime,” is the second volume in the Missional U series. Dr. Youmans continues the journey revisiting the four metaphorical regions of the Great Commission and teaching people, in practical terms, what it means to live a missional life wherever they happen to be. Sixteen new devotions are included, each with questions for reflection and discussion.

Faculty & Staff News Mary McKelvy, director of business services, presented two sessions at the Ellucian Live user conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in April. Ellucian Live was attended by more than 8,000 participants from 2,300 higher education institutions around the world for a common purpose to embrace new ideas, develop new insights, and design new approaches to help education move forward.

Mary spearheaded the Web Time Entry implementation project at Concordia in 2012 that automated all the paper timesheets for hourly staff and students in multiple locations, using Ellucian along with Banner to execute the report process. This effort greatly improved accuracy and efficiency of the process and mitigated many risks associated with paper timesheets. It also led to Mary’s invitation to speak and present on the processes she

created. The University continues to re-engineer business processes to improve student experience, cut operating costs and advance its mission to develop Christian leaders.

Mary also serves on the Ellucian Human Resources Customer Advisory Board.

position & educationUpdates of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.

Research interests included a dissertation titled: “Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Schools of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.”

Joshua Chai, director of Choral activities, will be taking a leave of absence in the upcoming academic year to work on his doctorate in Choral Conducting at the University of Kentucky. The choir will still be performing their fall and spring concerts, Lessons and Carols with Joseph Martin and the annual Evening for Valentines. Several guest conductors will come in to work with the choir throughout the year. Visit the website for the latest choral news, concert dates and information on guest conductors at www.concordia.edu/music.

Jacob Hollatz, assistant professor in the College of Education and director of middle and secondary programs, recently completed the doctoral program in educational leadership with a concentration in higher education from the University

Dr. Curtis P. Giese was recently named Humanities Division Chairman at Concordia University Texas. Giese, a professor of religion, is also the New Testament editor in the Concordia Commentary series and author of the 2 Peter and Jude commentaries in the same series. His new role as chairman, supporting faculty in English, history, theology, and foreign languages, will officially begin July 1. Giese has been at Concordia Texas for nine years, teaching Greek and New Testament.

Previously, he served seven years at Concordia University Ann Arbor and four years in the parish prior to Ann Arbor. He is co-author of “Called to Be God’s People: An Introduction to the Old Testament “(2006) and has contributed to Concordia Pulpit Resources, the Lutheran Study Bible, and German devotions for Tägliche Andachten and Feste Burg Andachtsbuch.

Recent publications by Giese for Concordia Pulpit Resources can be found at: http://sites.cph.org/cpr/.

Dr. Carl Trovall has been named fulltime dean of the College of Liberal Arts in April after serving as interim dean for the 2012-2013 academic school year. Trovall has served at Concordia in various parttime and full-time roles including campus pastor and professor since 1997. In addition to his current role as dean, Trovall also teaches one class per semester, among which are a history class on the culture of the Mexican-American political philosophy and history of Christianity. Exciting things are planned for the coming year in the college. A new psychology major has been tentatively approved for launch in 2014.

Trovall replaces former dean, Ken Schmidt, who is retiring after seven years of service at Concordia.

Just ran into the coolest guy I know in education, @donchristian of @concordiatx!

This is going be an awesome conference. #sxswedu

@tonyAguilar

Summer 2013

23

Faculty & Staff News

retirementUpdates Charlotte McConnell, director of scheduling and events, is retiring after 12 years of service. In her role, she was responsible for meeting and events held on campus. She coordinated with departments to reserve space, chairs, tables and food.

Charlotte also worked with external clients to coordinate events and meetings on campus.

Jim McConnell, dean of the College of Education, started his career at Concordia as teaching education courses. He also founded and served as the first director of the Director of Christian Education (DCE) program. He wrote the curriculum for the major, taught all DCE courses for four years and recruited students into the program.

Concordia Texas’ DCE program is now the largest and youngest in the Concordia University System, and numbers are sustaining. In January of 2009, he accepted the position of dean of the college of education. As the dean, he was responsible

for the oversight and direction of the college of education. During this time, he continued teaching two courses, Parish Administration and Adult Education. He plans to continue to teach these two courses in an online capacity. Dr. Gayle Grotjan has recently accepted the position of Dean of the College of Education and will begin in July.

Woodard Springstube, doctor of philosophy with a major in finance and a minor in economics, joined the full-time faculty at Concordia in the fall of 1996. While at Concordia, he has taught many finance, economics, and business statistics courses, plus teaching production and operations management for a time. He has also served on the Faculty Welfare and Development and Academic Policies Committees. He also occasionally served as an adjunct professor at St. Edwards University.

Dr. James Stevenson retired December 31, 2012. During Jim’s career at Concordia, he was primarily responsible for the two-semester courses Chemistry I & II and Organic Chemistry I & II and handled both the lecture and the laboratory portions. As the need arose he also taught Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry. As early as 2001 he was the recipient of the first (and only) Faculty Technology Award and in 2004 he was Principle Investigator for a winning proposal to Hewlett-Packard which provided twenty Compaq-1100 tablet computers for use in classroom and laboratories. Jim also served as Director of the Environmental Science Program, Chairman of the Division of Mathematics and Science and Faculty Secretary.

Dr. Stevenson served on the faculty of Concordia University of Texas for more than 20 years.

After his retirement, Dr. Springstube hopes to continue teaching on a part-time basis for several more years, plus exploring other opportunities. He hopes to remain in the Central Texas area for several more years.

Both Jim and Charlotte are retiring and moving to Huntsville, Texas, where Charlotte grew up. They are looking forward to spending time with family and helping out on the family farm.

Yay for getting my acceptance into Nursing program today @concordiatx #J1Fall2013 pic.twitter.com/BqwCjCdfq3 @jenniferLmiles 24

Concordia University Texas

Dr. Joy Penticuff, director of nursing, is retiring after five years of service. Penticuff came to Concordia after serving 33 years on the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, where she was Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs . Here, she was responsible for the direct planning and implementation of the nursing program, one of the fastest growing programs in Texas. In 2010, Sanford University awarded her the Edmond Pellegrino Medal for contributions in bioethics. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the most prestigious honors in the nursing profession.

In 2008, Dr. Penticuff came to Concordia to direct planning of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The BSN Program Proposal was developed and start-up of the program was unanimously approved by the Texas Board of Nursing in April 2010.

Associate director of nursing program Keith Ragsdale will serve as interim director until a new one is named later this summer.

Faculty & Staff News

employeeRecognition On May 6, 2013 twenty-six Concordia University Texas employees were recognized by President Tom Cedel for reaching milestones in their years of service.

Thanks to all CTX employees for making our mission of developing Christian leaders a reality.

Ministers of the Gospel: 45 years: Laurence Meissner 15 years: Linda Greenwald (not pictured)

Learn about the benefits of being a Concordia employee at concordia.edu/jobs

Kathy Horn

Katherine Arnold.

Clyburn Duder (not pictured)

Michael Moyer

Eric Silber, Claudia Teinert.

Don Adam (not pictured)

Kristin Coulter, Paul Buchheimer, Philip Hohle, Nina Chavira, Jason Larson, [Dr. Tom Cedel], Michael Wallace, John Stanford, Randa Scott, Joy Penticuff, Carl Lunsford. Recognized but not pictured: Joanne Antrim, Nick Chittester, Patricia Fick, Linda Greenwald, Marchelle Scarnier (Surplus), Michael Schidler, Adola Stocker.

Summer 2013

25

Alumni

A first generation perspective Concordia provides an outlet for students to showcase talents and fulfill dreams

Colleges and

universities everywhere are seeing an increase in applications from first generation students. Nearly 31-percent of Concordia’s student population, traditional and non-traditional, are first generation and 51-percent of transfer students are as well.

Students are telling stories of the exceptional experiences Concordia offers its students that are contributing to their success. Senior multi-disciplinary major Christina Boudreaux didn’t know what to expect out of her college career.

“As a first generation college student, I had never even planned on obtaining anything more than an associate’s degree,” Boudreaux said. “The reason I had never even considered a four year college before this was because I saw it as this big, scary unknown.”

Christina had been attending Austin Community College (ACC) as a part time student, when a friend decided to transfer to Concordia.

“My friend was in the process of transferring to Concordia, and I went along on the tour with her,” Boudreaux said. “I immediately fell in love with how beautiful the campus was.”

After meeting with an admissions counselor, Christina knew Concordia was the perfect fit for her as well.

“I still clearly remember how helpful and encouraging [the admissions counselor] was,” said Boudreaux. “He immediately told me about grants and loans and covered the application process in just a few minutes; however, I had already decided right then and there that I had to go to Concordia.”

Concordia offered everything Christina was looking for, from an education in her area of interest to hosting her very own radio show.

“Concordia was able to do something no other college offered: make me aware of a dream I never had, and turn it into a very plausible and obtainable reality,” Boudreaux said.

by Jill Cloud

And with graduation just months away, Christina is proud of her status as a first generation college graduate.

“I think it’s made obtaining a bachelor’s degree a much bigger deal to me than it is to many,” Boudreaux said.

“Being the first in my family to graduate makes this a really big accomplishment-both to me and my family.”

As a small university, dedicated to personal service, Concordia is able to give students the support they need to complete a college education, and also to give them the platform they need to be successful, especially in a competitive society.

“There is this pressure in our collective culture now− like it or not, it’s becoming increasingly harder to find a good job without a degree,” Boudreaux said. “But even with a degree the job market isn’t too friendly these days.”

Christina sees her education as a way to advance her career and find a balanced lifestyle.

“Before I started at Concordia I was accustomed to working two jobs at once and even saving cash in a plastic bag to buy my first car,” Boudreaux said. “I’ve never just worked or just went to school− I’ve always done both.”

Christina will graduate in August with a bachelor of arts in multi-disciplinary studies, communication and English. She values not only her education at Concordia, but other extracurricular activities it offers.

“Now as a college student I realize it’s not just about attending classes,” Boudreaux said. “It’s about attending classes, and interning, and volunteering and working parttime and taking part in every extra-curricular opportunity.”

Christina was involved with several activities on and offcampus.

“My first semester at Concordia, I hosted my own oncampus radio show; my second year at Concordia, I was given a role in the play “All In The Timing” and my third year at Concordia, I wrote for the school newspaper and was given an outlet to write about my own blog for the school magazine,” said Boudreaux. “I definitely believe that all of this has really helped in preparing me for the real world.”

Christina now works as an event blogger for seesawaustin.com and is a summer communications intern for the American Red Cross. In her spare time she hones her writing skills in her own blog, http://christinadoesitall. com/. You can read more there. To learn more about programs at Concordia and how to get started on your own educational pathway, contact an admissions counselor at admissions@concordia.edu or visit admissions.concordia.edu.

Good advice for new grads about asking for help from #CTX Alumni.

RT @philreCareered: 7 Alumni Networking Don’ts - http://bit.ly/RgemZM 26

COncordia University Texas

@CTXCareer

Alumni

Where are they now?

Chris Conley

Jami Jeffries Kalmbach

MBA ‘13, Westlake ’88, Arkansas BSIE ’94

Q. Where do you work now?

A. Dell in Round Rock for the last 5

years. I’m a Customer Quality Manager, advocating Dell quality to CIO’s and IT managers.

Q. How are you using your CTX degree to

serve as a leader in your community?

A. I have actively served in leadership roles in my church for some time, but as a recent grad, am looking for ways to help non-profits and ministries to collaborate efforts and serve the community, such as the Austin Disaster Relief Network.

Q. Who was your favorite professor at CTX who made a real impact on your life?

A.

Dr. Christian’s passion and enthusiasm in leadership-self were contagious. He is a true servant-leader and inspires others to do the same.

Q. What bit of advice would you give to

A.

current students?

Have a plan on what you’d like to do with the MBA once you’ve graduated.

That vision will help sustain you when the readings, projects and case studies become tedious.

Q. Favorite ice cream?

A. Amy’s Belgian Chocolate with Peanut Butter Cups.

Q. Favorite music artist(s)?

A. George Strait, Willie, U2, and The Beastie Boys.

Kolleen Quinlan

B.A. Business ’05 (Trad)

Q. Where do you work now?

A. Senior Accountant, Jones Lang LaSalle Q. How are you using your CTX degree to serve as a leader in your community?

A.

My desire and ability to lead and be civically engaged manifested while I was a student at CTX. I’m now actively involved in several organizations in the metroplex including the Junior League of Dallas, Lee Park Junior Conservancy, Partners Card benefiting the Family Place and the State Fair of Texas Raffle/Scholarship Committee.

Q. Who was your favorite professor at

CTX who made a real impact on your life?

A.

Carl Trovall; his special approach to the academic, spiritual and philosophical aspects of the curriculum translated so well to life outside of the classroom. He may not know it, but he pushed me to explore and discover and own who I was (am).

Q. What bit of advice would you give to current students?

A.

Go to class. Do not miss it. Get there early and sit in the front and listen and participate. And when you aren’t in class, always be doing something.

Get involved in as many things as you can possibly make time for.

Q. Favorite ice cream?

A. Dairy Queen dipped cone.

Q. Favorite music artist(s)?

A. I can’t nail down a favorite band, but Willie Nelson is my all time favorite artist.

Tell us your story. Send it to: alumni@concordia.edu

B.B.A ‘02 (ADP)

Q. Where do you work now?

A. Randolph*Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU)

Q. How are you using your CTX degree to serve as a leader in your community?

A.

I am currently serving a two-year term as the President of the Austin Chapter of Credit Unions (ACCU). The ACCU is a non-profit organization madeup of a volunteer board of credit union professionals and vendor partners who work to promote unity among credit unions through philanthropic events. These events include fund-raising for various non-profits the ACCU has partnered with, such as Dell Children’s Medical Center and the Austin Children’s Shelter.

Q. Who was your favorite professor at

CTX who made a real impact on your life?

A.

The first who comes to mind is Dr. Zielke. Math was not my strongest subject in school, but with Dr. Zielke’s guidance and availability to help me, I was motivated to study and work hard to make one of the highest grades in the class!

Q. What bit of advice would you give to current students?

A.

Do what you can to get involved on any level, in any activity, regardless of how small. Not only will you be doing your part to support CTX, but you will be widening your circle of influence. And you never know where a networking opportunity can lead!

Q. Favorite ice cream?

Blue Bell Cookies and Cream.

Q. Favorite music artist(s)?

A. Maroon 5 and Casting Crowns (quite the opposites).

Summer 2013

27

Alumni

alumNotes 1960s Edward (‘67) and Edna (‘66) England are celebrating 10 years of Edward being Associate Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran in Fairborn, Ohio.

James Vandercook (‘69) and his wife are presently serving in the mission field in Asia.

1970s Glen Kieschnick (‘71) is retiring after teaching 40 years at Redeemer Lutheran School in Austin.

Kristi Kizer Armstrong (‘73) is now Clinical Manager of Central Florida Pulmonary Group, and husband, Rick (‘73), is now Executive Director of Lutheran Counseling Services.

1980s Marla (Crockett) Steenbock (‘84-’86) is currently serving with her husband, Rick (‘73), in the mission field in Oberursel, Germany.

Cindy (Roemer) Miller (‘82, ‘03) is now serving as Director of Children’s Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills in San Antonio, Texas.

John Eatman (‘06) has finished the 2nd of his fouryear neurology residency in Houston.

Brian Messer (‘07) is now teaching in the Healthcare Administration program at CTX.

2010s Chelsey (Urban) (‘10) and Ted (‘09) Doering are finishing up Ted’s vicarage and will be returning to St. Louis in the fall where Ted will receive his master’s of divinity.

Sara (‘11) and Philip (‘10) Middleton have moved back to the Austin area from Belton, Texas.

Malori Carley (‘12) is presently working for the Texas Legislature as a legislative clerk.

Ross Owens (‘12) and Caitlin Hanna (‘11) are engaged. Both are currently living in the Houston area.

Liz Callahan (‘13) will be moving to Botswana, Africa, where she will be serving through Global Lutheran Outreach in rural villages for her DCE internship.

Until then, she is raising $30,000 to support her travel and mission. You can contribute at http://www. globallutheranoutreach.com/ callahan/.

Births & Marriages Greg and Jennifer Behring Schutte (‘96) welcomed a daughter, Elisabeth Ann, on February 17.

Rev. Paul Goeke (‘01) and Angie Goeke (‘01) welcomed a son, Judah Andreas, on January 31, 2012.

Jami (Jeffries) Kalmbach (‘05) married Eric Kalmbach on February 2, 2013.

Theodore Michalk (‘38) Mel Hobratsch (‘56) Rev. Dr. Adrian Baacarisse (‘60) Larry Trout (‘91) Julie Anne Haneke Velasco (‘04)

2000s

COncordia University Texas

Amanda Herrera (‘12) has been accepted to the master of science in social work (MSSW) program at the University of Texas - a program currently ranked 7th in the nation by U.S. News and World Reports.

In Memoriam

Kris Morris (‘99) is now Associate Pastor at Christ the King in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

28

Meredith Linze (‘12) has been accepted to the nationally ranked graduate counseling program at Oklahoma State University.

Jim Prothro (‘08) has completed his master of arts in Classics at Washington University in St. Louis and has been accepted into the doctoral program in Pauline Studies at Cambridge University.

1990s

Rev. David Vandercook (‘03) is presently serving at Mount Calvary near Houston.

Valerie Cavazos (‘12) will begin physician’s assistant rotations in July.

Being an @concordiatx grad has some AWESOME perks!!!! I’m loving it! @benwaldron

Alumni

Director of Christian Education (DCE) program celebrates internship placements of graduates.

Director Dr. Jacob Youmans, Matthew Tolander, Liz Callahan, Olivia Jablinski, Tanner Evans, Carl Repp, Daniel DeHoyos, Matthew Doering, Hailey Robertson, David Stuckwisch, Jordan Norton, Assistant Director Grant Carey.

Congratulations

Class of 2013

Connect with other CTX alumni at:

alumni.concordia.edu facebook.com/ctxalumni

@ctxalumni

Summer 2013

29

Athletics Nick Haynes Domonique Liddell

Melissa Cantu

Madison Kramr Ryan Ullmann

Dwayne Patterson

Christina Smith was

named Concordia’s first-ever Capital One Academic All-American.

Josh Sanchez Brent Schaekel

Meghan Ferrell

Tornado Athletics Spring 2013 Recap Men’s Basketball The men’s basketball team completed its best season in school history as a Division III program by winning its first American Southwest Conference Tournament championship and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tornados received 24 votes in the final D3Hoops.com national poll, which tied them for 28th in the country, and finished the season with a 24-6 overall record.

Junior forward, Dwayne Patterson, received all-region laurels from two organizations and was also named the ASC West Division Player and Newcomer of the Year after finishing the winter as Concordia’s leader in points, rebounds and steals. He also set NCAA Division III program single-season records for rebounds, free throws made and double-doubles. Senior guard Nick Haynes joined Patterson on the ASC All-Conference Team and ASC All-West Division First Team. Josh Sanchez was honorably mentioned for all-league laurels after being named MVP of the ASC Tournament.

Women’s Basketball The women’s basketball team qualified for the American Southwest Conference Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history and completed its third straight winning campaign by finishing with a 17-9 record overall. The Tornados had a record seven players garner ASC postseason recognition and also had two student-athletes receive a major award, in the same season, for the first time ever.

Senior guard, Brianna Smith, made the ASC All-West Division First Team, while sophomore center, Domonique Liddell, was named the ASC West Division Defensive Player of the Year. Freshman forward, D.J. Vallier, earned ASC West Division Freshman of the Year honors. In addition, sophomore guard, Madi Hess, and Liddell were named to the ASC All-West Division Second Team. Sophomore forward, Madison Kramr, junior guard, Tyler 30

COncordia University Texas

Men’s Track & Field Posts Best Finish in Program History at ASC Championships; Tornados Place Second http://bit.ly/Y5usIX @CTXAthletics

Compton, and Vallier were honorably mentioned for all-conference laurels. Four of the seven players who collected ASC postseason recognition - Hess, Kramr, Liddell, and Smith - received a perfect 4.0 GPA during the 2011 fall semester, and a school-record nine student-athletes were named to the ASC Winter Academic Honor Roll.

Baseball The baseball team finished with a 22-22 record overall and advanced to the double-elimination championship round of the ASC Tournament in 2013 for the third straight season. Senior, Ryan Ullmann, made the D3Baseball.com All-West Region Third Team and became the second Tornado in the last three seasons to be named the ASC West Division Pitcher of the Year. He also earned a place on the ASC All-West Division First Team along with Brent Schaekel. Austin Rupert made the ASC All-West Division Second Team and Chance Leissner was honorably mentioned for All-ASC accolades. Connor Bertsch was recognized as the ASC West Division Co-Freshman of the Year. Head coach, Tommy Boggs, who just finished his fourth season on the sidelines, earned his 100th victory faster than any coach for any sport during the institution’s NCAA Division III and American Southwest Conference era which began in 1999. He reached the milestone in 169 games when the Tornados earned a 7-3 victory over Schreiner on Apr. 5. Off the field, the program had 12 players make the ASC Spring Academic Honor Roll. Ullmann was later drafted by the Washington Nationals. Read more on page 32.

Softball The softball team completed one of its best seasons in school history by finishing with a 25-15 record overall. The Tornados also competed in the ASC Tournament for the third time in four seasons and recorded their second-highest win total in program history.

Senior pitcher, Kat Moreno, finished her career as the program’s record holder for career strikeouts and shutouts. She was also

Athletics Brianna Smith

Katie Carrizales

Andrea Mitchell Kat Moreno

Tyler Compton

Austin Rupert

Madi Hess

Kayla Burch was named

Concordia’s second-ever Capital One Academic All-American.

Jack Cersosimo

Justin Gonzalez

named to the All-ASC West Division First Team, along with senior first baseman, Meghan Ferrell, after setting a single-season school record for strikeouts. Junior shortstop, Katie Carrizales was crowned the ASC West Division Newcomer of the Year and made the ASC All-West Division Second Team. Christina Martin, a designated player, earned a place on the ASC All-West Division Second Team. Junior second baseman Jessica Parish, senior third baseman, Erin Duhon, freshman catcher Shannon Lanford and senior outfielders, Melissa Cantu and Christina Smith, were selected for honorable mention. Smith, a biology major with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average, was also named Concordia’s first-ever Capital One Academic All-American in any sport.

Off the field, the program had a department high 3.35 average GPA during the 2012 fall semester and contributed a record number of community service initiatives among Concordia’s 13 varsity sports.

The team volunteered their time assisting Central Texas Ability Sports with kickball as well as Special Olympics Texas flag football and bowling. The program also raised nearly $2,500 for charitable causes during the year.

Men’s Track & Field The men’s track & field team had another record-breaking season in its fourth season of varsity competition. The Tornados most notably placed second with 131 points at the American Southwest Conference Championships. Concordia’s student-athletes also set school records in 11 events, which included 10 individual and one relay. A school-record seven student-athletes were named All-ASC this spring.

Justin Gonzalez was honored as the ASC Outstanding Freshman Co-Athlete of the Year after winning the triple jump, placing second in the high jump and finishing third in the long jump.

Other CTX event winners and all-conference honorees at the ASC Championships included Matthew Denman, Monté Griffin, J.J. Jenkins, Michael Normand, Matt Ruhe and James Washington.

Women’s Track & Field The women’s track & field team had another record-breaking season in its fourth season of varsity competition. The Tornados most notably placed third with 130.50 points at the American Southwest Conference Championships after never previously finishing higher than fourth with 58 points in previous years at the

Connor Bertsch

Megan Wagenaar

meet. CTX student-athletes broke 10 school records in the 13 events they competed in and set 13 program standards over the course of the spring, which included 11 individual and two relays.

After having three all-conference selections through the program’s first three seasons, a school-record six student-athletes were named All-ASC this spring. Andrea Mitchell was honored as the ASC Outstanding Freshman Athlete of the Year and was in a position to qualify for the NCAA Championships in the 100- and 200-meter dashes after placing second in each event at the ASC meet. She also anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay and the runner-up 4x100 at the league’s championship event. Randi Askew, Sydney Getfield, Alison Pringle, Caitlin Rowlette and Megan Wagenaar joined Mitchell as all-conference selections.

Photos Courtesy of: Matt Chmura Elizabeth Evangelista Cedric Perry Damian Webber

Men’s Golf The men’s golf team finished eighth as a program at the American Southwest Conference Championships and broke several records over the course of the year. The team set four new program standards at the John Bohmann Memorial Invitational by its lowest team tournament score over two and three rounds as well as its lowest tournament score versus par over two and three rounds.

Sophomore, Jack Cersosimo, led the way and became the first golfer in program history to make the All-ASC First Team twice in his career after tying for third at the league’s championship competition.

Cersosimo also set records for lowest tournament score over two and three rounds as well as lowest tournament score versus par over two rounds during his sophomore campaign.

Women’s Golf The women’s golf team placed sixth as a program at the American Southwest Conference Championships and set several school individual and team records over the course of the year. Senior Kayla Burch became the first CTX golfer in school history to capture an invitational, accomplishing the feat by winning on a scorecard playoff at the Schreiner Fall Classic, and was named the ASC Co-Golfer of the Week twice for her efforts. Burch also set a school record for lowest single-round score and lowest single-round score versus par. Blair Allen, broke the program standard for best season scoring average. Burch and Allen set a school record for lowest tournament score over two rounds. They also completed their undergraduate studies in three years.

Summer 2013

31

Athletics

by Jill Cloud

CTX Senior

Dalaine Whitlock

named semifinalist for the 9th Annual Coach John Wooden Citizenship Cup Dalaine Whitlock at NCAA National Office in Indianapolis. IN.

Concordia University Texas women’s soccer player Dalaine Whitlock has been named the 2012-13 American Southwest Conference Female Community Service Award winner.

The ASC Community Service Award, in its fifth academic year, honors a male and female student-athlete who best displays leadership and action in fostering community service on their campus and local community. Whitlock is Concordia Texas’ first-ever ASC Community Service Award winner.

“There are so many things I could say about Dalaine and her ability to impact the lives of those she encounters,” said former Concordia Texas soccer head coach, Corey Holton. “Dalaine is a tireless worker, a respected leader and someone who cares deeply about helping others. She is wholeheartedly invested in everything she does for her team, her school, her family and her community.

Whitlock’s volunteer efforts with Special Olympics Texas were also recognized on a national scale this past winter.

She was named one of 20 semifinalists for the 9th Annual Coach John Wooden Citizenship Cup, an award that is given annual to one collegiate and one professional athlete who have made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others. Whitlock was among only five Division III studentathletes in the country to be named a semifinalist for the prestigious honor.

Dalaine Whitlock meets with NCAA president Mark Emmert.

Whitlock helped start the Athletes for Athletes Program that began during the 2011-12 academic year and has been recognized by Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) Public Relations.

SAAC representative for the ASC and Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the last two years.

To read more about Dalaine and her accomplishments, visit athletics.concordia.edu.

“She is committed to change and improvement for both herself and for the causes she is involved with,” said Holton.

“Her contributions to CTX, the NCAA and Special Olympics have changed the course of many lives and her influence will be felt for years to come.”

Dalaine Whitlock gives instructions at a Special Olympic event.

Whitlock, a behavioral sciences major from Belton, Texas, has been President of the Concordia Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and also the national

Dalaine Whitlock leads an Athletes for Athletes event at a Concordia volleyball game.

“To see the impact of sports in their lives ... it’s a great way to give back to something that has given me so much.” Dalaine Whitlock - Behavioral Science ‘13 Watch Dalaine talk about the importance of Special Olympics http://bit.ly/dwhitlock 32

COncordia University Texas

Athletics

Two Concordia athletes honored at Texas Relays Celebration Two Concordia student athletes were honored in March during the 2013 Texas Relays Celebration at Austin’s City Hall for their academic and athletic achievements as well as community involvement.

Cedric Perry, a junior communication major, was the firstever Concordia student athlete to compete at the Texas Relays, placing 10th in the College Division of the 400-meter intermediate hurdles in 2012. Perry has broken school records for the 400-meter hurdles and is a member of the record-holding 4x400-meter relay team. He also serves as music director and assistant manager for the campus radio station, Tornado Radio, and coaches a variety of sports to area youth through the Chasco YMCA in Round Rock.

Jamarion Jenkins, a junior kinesiology major, is a recordholding member of the sprint medley and 4x200-meter relay teams for Concordia and recorded the fastest individual time for the team in the spring of 2013. Jenkins is a member of the Army ROTC and is involved with the ROTC-Valor Program, a Christian organization whose mission is to

Cedric Perry and Jamarion Jenkins receive their awards at Austin City Hall for academic and athletic achievements as well as community involvement.

promote Christianity and faith among military leaders.

The University sent five individual athletes to the 2013 Texas Relays along with a relay team.

Since spring 2011, Concordia has realized five American Southwest Conference (ASC) championship titles in baseball (2011 and 2012), women’s basketball (2012), men’s basketball (2013) and cross country (2011). Student athletes receive regular recognition for their academic excellence and maintain a collective average grade point above 3.0.

Tornado Field chosen as host for 2013 NCAA Division III West Regional Baseball Tournament Concordia University Texas was chosen as a host site for the NCAA Division III West Regional Baseball Tournament that took place Wednesday, May 15 through Saturday, May 19 at Tornado Field. This marked the first time in school history that the Tornado’s have been selected to host an NCAA post-season event in any sport.

Concordia was one of eight host sites for Division III playoff games. Six teams competed for the opportunity to advance to the College World Series in Appleton, WI. The reigning team during the local tournament was

Linfield College of McMinnville, OR. “Our young men have worked tirelessly for the last two years to bring home American Southwest Conference championships, and we are all thrilled that the NCAA chose to honor our success by choosing us as a host for the play-off tournament,” Tommy Boggs, Concordia University Texas head men’s baseball coach, said. “I am excited for the community to come to the ball park and see our world class facility.”

Concordia’s baseball program thrived during its first two full seasons of

play at Tornado Field, winning the American Southwest Conference (ASC) Tournament crown to earn the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and 2012. The Tornados entered the 2013 season ranked 13th nationally by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and 16th by D3Baseball.com. The team was eliminated from competition, however, during the American Southwest Conference (ASC) Tournament in a 13-2 loss against Louisiana College, just one week before the Regional Tournament they hosted.

ASC Academic award winners find out more at concordia.edu/2013tornadoawards Summer 2013

33

Congratulations

Athletics

CTX Men’s Basketball 2013 ASC

Champions

@concordiatx basketball won 87-83!!!!!!! #woosh (@)kylemccall

Lowry is seen here with Concordia’s Director of Alumni Relations, John Adams, and Corporate Development Officer Heidi Doering.

Linda Lowry Congratulations

Ryan Ullmann Drafted by the Washington Nationals Find out more at

athletics.concordia.edu 34

COncordia University Texas

inducted into Sam Houston State women’s wall of honor Former coach and athletic director Linda Lowry was inducted into the Sam Houston State University women’s wall of honor in February. Lowry earned both her bachelor and master’s degrees at SHSU, playing for a state championship volleyball team and winning a national badminton championship. Her coaching career includes a stint at the University of Texas before completing a nearly 30-year career at Concordia where she served as head volleyball coach (1980-1998), athletic director (1982-2008), head men and women’s golf coach (1998-2008) and assistant professor in kinesiology before retiring in 2008.

Athletics

Fall 2013 Athletic Schedules Men’s Soccer

Volleyball

8/30

at Dallas Baptist

TBA

9/6

vs. Dallas!

6:00 p.m.

9/4

at Huston-Tillotson

TBA

9/7

vs. Hendrix!

11:00 a.m.

9/7

at Texas Lutheran

TBA

9/14

at Texas Lutheran$

5:00 p.m.

9/13

Our Lady of the Lake

4 p.m.

vs. Schreiner$

7:00 p.m.

9/19

Houston-Victoria

7 p.m.

Sul Ross State&

11:00 a.m.

9/21

at East Texas Baptist

6 p.m.

Mary Hardin-Baylor&

3:00 p.m.

9/27

Louisiana College

TBA

9/27

vs. Hardin-Simmons^

3:00 p.m.

9/28

Mississippi College

TBA

9/28

vs. Howard Payne^

10:00 a.m.

10/4

at Howard Payne

TBA

vs. Texas-Dallas^

12:00 p.m.

10/5

at Hardin-Simmons

TBA

vs. Mississippi College#

1:00 p.m.

10/12

at East Texas Baptist

TBA

vs. LeTourneau#

5:00 p.m.

10/17

at Ozarks

TBA

vs. East Texas Baptist#

11:00 a.m.

10/19

at Texas-Dallas

TBA

at Texas-Tyler#

1:00 p.m.

10/25

LeTourneau

TBA

10/9

at Trinity

6:00 p.m.

10/26

Texas-Tyler

TBA

10/12

Mary Hardin-Baylor&

11:00 a.m.

11/2

Mary Hardin-Baylor

TBA

Sul Ross State&

3:00 p.m.

10/15

Huston-Tillotson

7:00 p.m.

10/18

vs. Texas-Dallas@

12:00 p.m.

vs. Howard Payne@

2:00 p.m.

Keep this schedule on your wall. Tear off here.

Women’s Soccer

9/21

10/4 10/5

8/31

at Huston-Tillotson

7:00 p.m.

10/19

at Hardin-Simmons@

10:00 a.m.

9/2

Texas Lutheran

2:00 p.m.

10/25

vs. Texas-Tyler%

1:00 p.m.

9/7

at Dallas!

6:00 p.m.

vs. East Texas Baptist%

5:00 p.m.

9/13

Our Lady of the Lake

2:00 p.m.

vs. LeTourneau%

10:00 a.m.

9/19

Houston-Victoria

5:00 p.m.

vs. Mississippi College%

2:00 p.m.

9/27

Louisiana College

TBA

11/1

vs. Austin College*

3:00 p.m.

9/28

Mississippi College

TBA

11/2

at Southwestern*

3:30 p.m.

10/4

at Howard Payne

TBA

10/5

at Hardin-Simmons

TBA

Volleyball Key

10/12

at East Texas Baptist

TBA

10/17

at Ozarks

TBA

10/19

at Texas-Dallas

TBA

10/25

LeTourneau

TBA

10/26

Texas-Tyler

TBA

11/2

Mary Hardin-Baylor

TBA

! Austin College Tournament (Sherman, Texas) $ Texas Lutheran Tournament (Seguin, Texas) & Conference Play at Concordia (Austin, Texas) ^ Conference Play at Sul Ross State (Alpine, Texas) # Conference Play at Texas-Tyler (Tyler, Texas) @ Conference Play at Hardin-Simmons (Abilene, Texas) % Conference Play at Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, Texas) * Southwestern Tournament (Georgetown, Texas)

Josh Sanchez and @concordiatx make the front page of @NCAADIII mens basketball ow.ly/ik2ry #WOOSH @gumtow

10/26

For all the latest information on CTX Athletics go to:

athletics.concordia.edu

Summer 2013

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11400 Concordia University Drive • Austin, TX 78726 512 . 313 . 3000 | www.concordia.edu

Y WEEK 3 01

EM

B E R 14 -1 7,

2

Register Today - alumni.concordia.edu/ctxweekend Upcoming Alumni Events August 2-4 October 19 November 14-17 April 5, 2014

’80-’86 Era Reunion Houston Area Regional Events Homecoming & Family Weekend 2013 Houston Area Regional Events

Other Upcoming CTX Events July 8-9, 11-12

Embark: Freshmen Orientation

Aug 3

Commencement

Aug 16-17

En Route: Transfer Orientation

Aug 23

Excellence in Leadership Gala

Aug 24 – 31

Week of Welcome

concordia.edu/calendar for full details

Don’t Miss Out. Update your contact info

alumni.concordia.edu/update A limited block of hotel rooms is being held for @concordiatx #CTXHFW 2013 until 7/31.

Claim yours now! http://ow.ly/lWb79 (@)CTXALUMNI I’m sitting in the student center at Concordia University Texas, admiring what a beautiful campus it is!

Hannah CoFo Schneider-Lynch

Twitter @concordiatx

Facebook facebook.com/concordiatx

concordia.edu/ctxmagazine